History Of Love Potions

January 21, 1986|By Robert Brody, Health & Fitness News Service

Aphrodisiacs are named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. Throughout history, witch doctors and apothecaries have touted all manner of potions, gels and fragrances as miraculous sexual stimulants.

Certain foods -- oysters, onions, honey, even raw bull`s testicles -- are legendary for exciting the libido. The ancient Romans swore by a brew of delicately aromatic orchid leaves, while the ancient Egyptians went so far as to ban all seafood from the diet of celibate priests. Natives of the Orient once consumed garlic in liberal quantities as a spice for amorous dalliances.

Plants, herbs and flowers -- such as fennel, anise and chrysanthemums -- are also purported to be erotic pick-me-ups. For example, wives in Mexico at one time sprinkled basil powder on their breasts to keep their husbands from philandering. Women in India tried to prolong lovemaking by powdering their bodies with crushed henna leaves. American Indians found that hallucinogens such as peyote and psilocybin -- derived from cactus and mushroom, respectively -- heightened sexual pleasure.